Collapsible tray.



H. M. HAYS.

COLLAPSIBLE TRAY.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.31, 1910.

Patented June 14,1910.

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HAROLD M. HAYS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

COLLAPSIBLE TRAY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 14, 1910.

Application filed January 31, 1910. Serial No. 541,108.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HAROLD M. HAYS, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Trays, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to produce a simple inexpensive folding or collapsible tray, which may be used as an ash tray or receptacle for small articles. By means of my invention I am enabled to produce such a tray, which may be placed in operative position by a few simple manipulations, and when in operative position, will be rigid, and which may be folded flat against a plain surface, such as a wall or the side of a table, so as to occupy very little space when not 1n use.

I have shown the preferred form of my invention in the drawings hereto annexed and forming a part of this specification.

Figure 1 shows a plan view of my improved tray, in its open or operative position, the dotted lines of said figure showing the tray folded. Fig. 2 shows a front view of my improved tray when folded.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that my improved tray consists essentially of a frame, which comprises a front piece 1, a back piece 2, and side pieces 3 3, and a bottom piece 4. The side pieces 3 3 are hinged to the front piece by means of hinges 5 5, and to the back piece by means of hinges 6 6. The side pieces 3 3 consist of two parts, which are hinged together by the hinges 7 7 in such manner that they may be folded inwardly but not outwardly. Upon the bottom piece 4 are secured two lugs 8 8, which serve to prevent inward motion of the side pieces 3 3. Upon the front piece 1 there is placed a handle or button 9 and a catch 10, which engages the bottom piece 4.

My improved tray may be attached to the wall or other flat surface 11 by means of screws 12 12 passing through the back piece 2.

The operation of my improved tray will be apparent from the drawings. Starting with the tray in the folded position shown in Fig. 2, the front piece 1 is drawn out to its extreme position by means of the knob 9, thus bringing the two halves of the side pieces 3 3 in line. The bottom piece 4 is then moved upwardly so that it rests against the edges of the frame, and the lugs 8 8 fit inside of the side pieces 3 3. The catch 10 then holds the bottom piece 4 in place. When it is desired to fold my improved tray, the catch 10 is loosened, the bottom piece 4 dropped down vertically, and the front piece 1 pushed inwardly, thus folding the side pieces 3 3 into the position shown in the dotted lines of Fig. 1.

I am aware that many modifications may be made of the preferred form of my invention illustrated in the drawings, without departing from its spirit, and I, therefore, do not desire to be limited to the form shown and described.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

In a collapsible tray, the combination of front and back pieces, side pieces hinged thereto, a bottom piece hinged to said back piece, a catch adapted to secure said front and bottom pieces together, and lugs on said bottom pieces adapted to prevent movement of said side pieces.

Signed at New York, this 27th day of January, 1910.

HAROLD M. HAYS. 

